Alternative and craft beer in Seville
Seville It has its special corners to drink " a barley juice and an olive potato ”: Bar Jota, El Tremendo, Casa Vizcaíno, Casa Coronado, La Boca del León, La Flía… Every Sevillian makes a pilgrimage to their beer cathedral according to some canons: the print run, the temperature, the glass, the environment... The city is used to drink a lot of beer , very cold, in small glasses and for a price that ranges between €1 and €1.20. All these factors hindered the establishment of craft beer consumption and left consumers more curious orphans of other flavors.
"In other areas of Spain it is easier to introduce independent beers, but in the end we have carved a niche for ourselves," he points out Pedro Rodriguez , one of the co-founders of Albero Beers.
Beer Pils de Albero
Created by some engineers in 2013, it was the alternative to avoid leaving Spain. While the national talent obtained opportunities outside our borders, Rodríguez, together with the Gutiérrez brothers, configured one of the first craft beers in Seville . Since then they have seen alternative brewing take off. They have known how to resist the ups and downs of the sector craft , and now they are "gathering the fruit of many years." The key factor, says Rodríguez, is that they have been creating beer culture in Seville , have facilitated the training of hoteliers and have opted for the stability of the product. "Because not all the beers that were made were good”.
The path is followed by other brands such as Blue River that offers a “beer for every moment and a moment for every beer ”. “You have to know when to drink a craft beer,” says Eloy del Río, its head brewer. Del Río is creating trends with classic styles and respecting tradition. taking ideas from London, Boston and Vermont It has established itself as a central axis in the beer map of the city. “ Seeing the potential of Seville, the craft movement is unstoppable”.
The rules are clear: “respect for the beer and the production processes, the quality of the ingredients and generating community”. With these guidelines set since 2017, Río Azul has been creating different recipes, among which its iconic "Flora" stands out, the most demanded . “It is the one that best matches the idiosyncrasy of the Sevillian. It pays homage to the beer's Belgian yeast character, has American hops, and features Seville bitters."
Río Azul is one of the references of craft beer in Seville
“The road has been difficult. We started in a market that barely existed in Seville. Much remains to be done, but we are beginning to glimpse a change,” he says. Carlos Canada , founding partner of Hecatomb . This brewery, l the most rocker of the Sevillian scene , was born in 2015 having a printed North American influence. This is also noticeable in its labels that provide added value to the bottle. "It's like a record cover, a little art object." The home hobby of these partners has become a company that puts about a dozen specialties on the market. His session IPA, "Fishbone", fresh, low in alcohol (4%), with a light body and intense tropical flavor, but without overwhelming, is the one that most likes among his public.
"A beer has to stick to the palate and to the brewing custom of the land," he says Beltrán Viguera, founder of Gualdalquibeer . Their cream ale it is refreshing, well balanced and easy to drink. "We have focused on being a bridge with people who do not know about natural and craft beers," he says at his factory in the neighboring town of Valencina de la Concepción. There they carry out guided tours and elaboration courses and develop new recipes to satisfy today's palates.
All brewers know where they play. “Seville is the heritage of Cruzcampo” Cañada says that he does not see competition with the traditional brewery. "You can't deny what you've been drinking all your life." Viguera explains that the big brands “ have become aware of this craft movement and join the bandwagon ”. The advantage is that they are able to educate many people by pressing a button ”. And that benefits everyone. That is why Rodríguez advocates “rowing together” to offer the craft consumer a greater variety of styles and more spaces.
With the International Brewery and the Europe Brewery as bastions in the Seville capital, the number of establishments that accommodate beers made by local entrepreneurs is increasing. “Just as there is a wine list, every time there are more people who are interested in beers than a bar has ”, says the co-founder of Albero.
ARTISAN BEER ROUTE THROUGH SEVILLE
"Don't worry, be hoppy" . With this declaration of intent, there is no other option but to surrender to the passion of Nicholas Aguirre , partner of Hops & Dreams (Jesus del Gran Poder Street, 83). East " brewer's home ” next to the Alameda de Hércules has 8 taps where you can enjoy various national and international brands. "Everyone fits here," says Aguirre who, however, wants to increase the local offer to end the stocks accumulated by the stoppage of sales during confinement.
Hops & Dreams, "the home of the brewer"
The interest in craft began in Seville thanks to the extinct establishment XXXII Great Power by Alessandro Ceccano . This Italian was "the promoter" of a sector that is currently experiencing "a placid moment". Ceccano, who maintains its distributor, introduced this new beer culture, a task in which he also participated makeup bar (Delgado street, 8), the only brewpub in town . With its own craft beer, it is the place of reference within the Sevillian beer scene. "We all know each other."
That is why it is not strange to see del Río or Aguirre “taking the last one” together with his companions. One of them is the American adam joseph , founder of BierKraft (Correiduria street, 35). In a relaxed atmosphere, this place offers an extensive beer menu . Since 2017 Josep has seen how the clientele has increased and more and more Sevillians are passing through his establishment. “The most exciting thing is when people arrive who I didn't expect to see here. I want it to be a neighborhood bar and not only depend on the tourist ", He says.
The enthusiasm grows. “ Craft beer is no longer a stranger in the city ”, points out Aguirre, who launched a map with craft beer places in Seville in 2017 and prepare one mobile app for 2021 . Maquila Bar, Hops & Dreams and Bierkraft are just some of the mandatory stops on a circuit that continues to expand. Thus the list includes establishments such as Holy hand, Viriato, The Blind Lantern or the 'tavern book' The Jeronima.
Outside the historic center , the Bar Juan Carlos in the Triana neighborhood (Calle Febo, 6) is a specialist in imported beers and cheeses . Another option is the Grocery Antipodes , in nerve , (Fuenteovejuna Street corner Chaves Nogales). In the neighborhood of Cerro del Águila, in a place reminiscent of the London prints of the beer mile of Bermondsey waves Tottenham microbreweries , is the Blue River Headquarters (Hytasa Industrial Estate, Calle Lana, 6). Eloy del Río and his team work in the largest craft brewery in Andalusia which, in addition to being the place of production, has a taproom to enjoy their own creations.
"Beer for every moment and a moment for every beer*